A solitary figure entered the Division grounds. He was an arresting sight: tall, lean, and possessing a chiseled handsomeness that promised both competence and trouble.
Venice's relief was immediate and overwhelming. She practically flew toward the newcomer. Ram, her brother by only a year, barely had time to brace himself.
"Ram! Thank the Heavens you're here. I was frantic, truly frantic," Venice hissed, pulling him aside from the scattered Grandmasters and trainees. Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Master Vivian announced we are both to be trained under Superior Nephtali, but she warned us. Only one of us will be chosen. I know it will be you. It always is."
Ram's expression remained impassive, his eyes already assessing the busy yard. "Why cling to Master Vivian?" His tone was flat, almost dismissive. "She coddles you. Your training is stagnant."
Venice bristled. "Don't lecture me, Ram. Focus on the Superior. You know the gossip, don't you? Nephtali's finest Guardian—Superior Headmaster Natalie. You won't defeat her easily. She utterly dismantled Master Vego, and he's one of the top Grandmasters in the Eastern District."
A faint, almost arrogant smile touched Ram's lips. "I'll reserve judgment until I see her capabilities firsthand."
"You're still the same," Venice sighed, shaking her head. "The man of few words and decisive actions. That's why Father favors you—he knows you'll bear his legacy, rising to become one of the great Superior Grandmasters."
As she spoke, Venice noticed a sharp, athletic figure striding toward the dining hall—Headmaster Natalie. An opportunity. Venice seized her brother's arm and dragged him forward.
"Natalie! Wait!"
Natalie stopped, one elegant brow arching in annoyance. "What is it now, Venice? I'm starving."
"Allow me to introduce my brother," Venice announced, pushing Ram forward with theatrical flair. "I'm certain you two will get along famously."
But Ram was gone. While Venice was busy posturing, Ram had slipped away, drawn by the clang of steel in a nearby training ground. He was transfixed by a trainee clumsily wielding a longsword. Suddenly, the weapon slipped, spinning wildly before the hilt slammed hard into Ram's temple as he stood just inside the perimeter.
The trainee, a slight young woman, rushed forward, hands clamped over her mouth. "I didn't mean to! I am so sorry! This is only my first day handling a true weapon; I can't control it yet. Please, forgive me!"
Ram's patience evaporated. He rubbed the growing knot on his head, his eyes narrowed into slits of contempt. "A Guardian does not relinquish their weapon. What kind of Guardian abandons their blade? You are unfit for the title!"
"And who are you to pass that judgment?"
The voice was cool, precise, and dangerously close. Ram turned to see Natalie standing behind him, her arms crossed, her eyes challenging.
"Are you her Superior?" she continued. "Only the one responsible for her care has the right to issue such a decree. And you are not he."
"I recognize weak guardians when I see them," Ram shot back, his voice thick with inherited arrogance. "And the proof of my statement is standing right in front of me."
Natalie tilted her head slightly, a spark igniting in her dark eyes. "And what about me? Am I also a weak guardian?"
Ram studied the challenging woman. She met his gaze with an unnerving confidence, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips.
"Headmasters Kirill, Fairah, please!" the trainee, Luna, pleaded, rushing to two observers nearby. "Stop them!"
Kirill wrung his hands. "I don't like this. Should we summon Superior Nephtali?"
Fairah's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Let's wait. See what Natalie does to the Superior's son."
Ram attacked without warning, a blur of motion. He launched himself into the air, aiming a forceful mid-air push at Natalie. She reacted instantly, gliding backward, a breathtaking counter-move. Her smile never wavered. Ram followed, kicking out with a devastating arc, but Natalie intercepted the strike, slamming her palm into his foot. The force of the counter-punch ripped Ram's balance away. He plummeted, hitting the hard earth with a sickening thud. Natalie landed lightly, gripping her hand, a flicker of pain crossing her face as she noticed a line of crimson blooming across her knuckles.
"Superior Headmaster Natalie!"
A new, formidable figure entered the scene—Dmitry, a high-ranking officer.
Ram struggled to his feet, ignoring the throbbing pain in his back. He stared at the woman. "You... you are Superior Headmaster Natalie?"
Natalie offered a theatrical curtsy, her voice smooth despite her hidden injury. "I haven't had the pleasure of a proper introduction. I am Superior Headmaster Natalie. Welcome to the Division, Headmaster Ram."
The shock on Ram's face was immensely satisfying.
Natalie was halfway to the Master's Hall when she realized her hand was bleeding freely, a deep cut across the knuckles from the impact. Lagot na naman ako nito—I'm in trouble again.
She hurried into the hall, joining Nephtali and several Grandmasters. She immediately tucked her bleeding, aching hand behind her back.
Then, Venice burst in, followed by Dmitry and a humbled Ram.
"Superior Nephtali, my brother is here! Headmaster Ram!" Venice announced triumphantly, as if presenting a prize.
Ram stepped forward, straightening his posture. "It is an honor to be placed under your tutelage. I vow to dedicate myself to becoming an excellent Guardian. I will not disappoint you."
Nephtali's gaze shifted between the two siblings. "I know you are diligent in your practice, unlike your sister who only complains. No, I am sure you will not disappoint me. Have you met my Superior Headmaster yet?"
Ram and Natalie glanced at each other, the tension of their brief fight still humming between them. Natalie subtly began to edge toward the door.
"Superior Headmaster Natalie!" Nephtali called out, sharp and immediate.
Ram turned, catching sight of the retreating figure. Natalie merely smiled at them.
"I... I seem to have forgotten something at the training ground," she said smoothly. "I'll be right back."
Nephtali simply stared at her until she sighed, defeated, and approached the group, still shielding her hand.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Headmaster Ram. I'm Superior Headmaster Natalie. Just Natalie is fine; 'Superior Headmaster' is far too stuffy."
"He may call you Minister Natalie."
Natalie froze, nearly spitting out the drink she was taking. Her head snapped toward Nephtali.
Dmitry looked equally stunned. "Superior, Minister? Why?"
"The Ministers were legendary, powerful ancient Guardians, until they sided with the darkness," Nephtali explained, his eyes fixed on Natalie. "I bestow the title of Minister upon Natalie not only for her combat ability but also because she is always the center of every conflict in this Division."
Natalie winced, clutching her hand tighter. Nephtali noticed the subtle shift in her posture, the tiny, suppressed gasp of pain.
Without warning, Nephtali shoved her left shoulder hard. Blood spurted from Natalie's mouth, catching everyone, especially Ram, completely off guard.
"Why didn't you say something?" Natalie snapped, wiping the blood from her chin. "If you wanted to expel the pooled blood from my veins, you could have just told me, instead of startling me like that!"
Nephtali immediately grabbed her injured hand. His face was a mask of cold fury.
"Who did this to you?!" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "You know this wound still carries poison and must not be aggravated! Who did you fight this time?"
Natalie remained silent, her jaw set in stubborn defiance. Ram watched, bewildered, as she refused to even look at him.
"Do not cover for other Guardians, Natalie!"
"It's my fault it's bleeding again!" she retorted. "Don't go looking for trouble! I was partly to blame for what happened."
"Will you answer my question, or not?"
Before she could speak, Ram stepped forward and sank to his knees.
"I am at fault for everything," Ram confessed, his head bowed. "Please, punish only me."
"Are you insane?" Natalie exclaimed, momentarily forgetting her pain. "I was trying to save you from punishment, and you do this?"
"Only the truth can answer a lie," Ram replied simply.
Nephtali's gaze hardened. "Confine Headmaster Ram to the Cursed Chamber for two days."
"Superior, confine me as well," Natalie insisted, stepping forward. "I fought him. I told you, we are both at fault. I will accompany him to the Cursed Chamber."
Nephtali and Natalie stared at each other, an unspoken battle passing between them.
Inside the Cursed Chamber, Ram was weak, his strength being slowly drained by the binding incantations surrounding them. Natalie stood beside him, completely unaffected.
"How are you still standing?" Ram gasped, leaning against the cold stone. "We are surrounded by the Orations of Containment. Aren't you weakened at all?"
Natalie shrugged casually. "You see, after all the trouble I caused back in the day, this Cursed Chamber became practically my second home. I'm used to these Orations. But why did you speak up just now? I could have easily diverted the Superior's attention so he would forget about this ridiculous little cut."
"What happened to your hand, anyway?" Ram asked, his vision blurring.
He was losing consciousness. Natalie acted instantly, weaving a protective Oraton of her own—a swift, counter-spell designed to shield Ram's power from the binding magic. Ram took a deep, relieved breath as his strength rushed back.
"How do you know that Oraton?"
"It was taught to me," she said simply.
"I still don't understand how you manage to stand in the midst of such powerful containment magic."
"Don't ask," Natalie sighed, looking around. "I'm not the only one. Superior Nephtali can do it, too. It requires intense training—training your mind to utterly disregard the presence of these Orations."
Ram finally understood the scope of her ability. "The title Superior Headmaster is well-deserved. You've surpassed the training Nephtali puts everyone else through. I wonder... could I ever achieve what you can, Minister Natalie?"
"You're brave, and a fine fighter," she smiled, a genuine smile that softened her sharp features. "I know you can."
They shared a moment of connection, then their gaze fell to their surroundings.
"Ugh. The food is taking forever," Natalie complained. "I was hungry hours ago."
"Do they feed people locked in here?" Ram asked, eyeing the shadows. "It looks like we'll have to endure our hunger, given our shared transgression."
A flicker of movement resolved into Nephtali and Master Red, carrying a tray of food. Before Ram could react, Natalie placed a hand on his shoulder, and he instantly fell unconscious.
"What are you doing here, Superior Nephtali?" Natalie demanded.
"We can argue once you're released," Nephtali replied, setting the tray down. "Now let me treat that wound, and you need to eat."
Red nodded toward Ram. "It was smart of you to shield him."
"Wake him up," Nephtali instructed Natalie. "He can be trusted. There's nothing to hide from him now, save for your rank as Grandminister."
With a flick of Natalie's wrist, Ram awoke, blinking at the faces above him.
"Master Red? Superior Nephtali?"
"Eat first," Red urged. "You must be starving."
Natalie presented her bleeding hand to Nephtali, who began cleaning the cut with professional detachment. Ram watched them, his confusion growing.
"Master Red," Ram whispered. "Superior Nephtali seems... very close to Minister Natalie, doesn't he?"
Red leaned in conspiratorially. "Stay here long enough, Headmaster, and you'll learn exactly why."
Nephtali bound the wound with a black kerchief. Natalie flinched, biting back a cry of pain.
"Brother, that's enough," she whispered, reverting to an intimacy none of the others had ever witnessed. "Don't wrap it too tightly. It hurts."
"What if you get a fever again?" Nephtali scolded, his concern overwhelming his irritation. "Your wound is already swollen. You shouldn't have joined this man in the fight."
"I thought we agreed to argue only after I got out?" Natalie countered. "He didn't know who I was, and I share the blame. I was provocative."
"If I didn't do this, every transgression by every Guardian would be meaningless. This is an example they must heed," Nephtali stated firmly. "If you're still angry, I'll wait until that anger passes."
The siblings stared at each other, the silence thick with their complex history. Natalie's shoulders slumped.
"I hate arguing with you, Brother!"
"Don't argue, then. Who always starts it?"
Natalie looked at him, defeated, and then leaned her head against his shoulder. "Brother, I'm so sleepy. There isn't even a bed or a pillow in here."
"I thought you were used to being locked up? Why are you asking for a bed now?"
"Fine! I'm leaving!"
Nephtali pulled her back firmly, allowing her to rest against his shoulder.
"You truly can't resist me," Natalie murmured, her eyes already fluttering shut.
Nephtali smiled faintly at his sleeping sister.
"Rest, little one. I won't leave your side."
Ram watched them, baffled. He could sense something unusual—a latent, powerful energy—hidden beneath their ordinary displays of concern.
Nephtali approached Ram, who was still wide awake.
"You should rest. You need strength for the training that awaits you."
"I can't sleep, Superior Nephtali." Ram glanced toward the peacefully snoring Natalie.
"Do you have a question for me?"
Ram hesitated. Nephtali raised a finger, and with a soft pop, the Orations of Containment vanished from the chamber. The magical drain on Ram's power ceased instantly.
"You are now under my care, just as Natalie is," Nephtali began. "But she is different. She is like my little sister. It is normal for her to talk back and argue with me. You need to understand this to quell the questions in your mind."
"That is why you are so worried about her," Ram realized. "I apologize if I hurt Minister Natalie. It won't happen again."
"I understand what transpired. It was a mutual mistake. Minister Natalie will be your first instructor. If you pass her examination, your training will begin with me. But I have one request."
"Anything, Superior Nephtali. I will do anything for you."
Nephtali's gaze intensified. "Do not allow Natalie to fight anyone—Guardians or creatures. If possible, you are to fight in her stead."
"Why do you not want Minister Natalie to fight?"
"Before I became her custodian, not a day passed when she did not sustain an injury or find herself in a duel," Nephtali revealed, his voice laced with weariness. "Now that she is a Superior Headmaster, and I have witnessed her capability, I want her to cease fighting her peers and creatures for a time. Can you fulfill this, Headmaster Ram?"
"It will be done, Superior Grandmaster."
"Do not mention this conversation to her."
"Understood."
Nephtali looked at his sister, sleeping soundly beside him. The brother and the newly sworn protector sat in the silent, empty chamber, their secret pact sealed.